Wasn't 1 in 9.2 quintillion hard enough? Bigger NCAA tournaments mean bigger brackets, too
The NCAA plans to expand its Division I basketball tournaments from 68 to 76 teams next season.
This change isn't expected to disrupt the familiar bracket for most fans.
Eight teams will be added to each tournament, increasing the number of games.
The NCAA last expanded the tournaments in 2011.
The expansion is expected to generate $131 million in new revenue for tournament participants.
The NCAA also anticipates $300 million in extra funding from new advertising opportunities, including liquor ads.
The current $8.8 billion broadcast deal with partners like CBS and TNT expires in 2032, potentially leading to more changes.
- NCAA Tournament Expanding to 76 Teams Is a Huge Mistake — Here’s Why Newsweek —
- March Madness tournaments will expand to 76 teams each starting next season NPR —
- NCAA Tournaments get supersized makeovers that could affect Cinderella and your brackets Associated Press —
- Some coaches say NCAA Tournament expansion fixes something that's not broke Associated Press —
- How do you feel about NCAA Tournament expansion? Let us know The New York Times —